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Record number of LGBT candidates elected to office

"The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced that more openly
LGBT candidates won election to public office in the U.S. in 2010 than
in any year in America’s history.

"At least 106 of the group’s record-breaking 164 endorsed candidates
were winners as of Wednesday morning, including Providence, R.I., Mayor
David Cicilline (pictured), who will become the fourth openly gay
Member of Congress when the House convenes in January.

"Victory Fund President and CEO Chuck Wolfe issued the following statement about the group’s success:

There is no sugar-coating the loss of
so many of our straight allies in Congress, but we can be proud that
our community continues to expand its voice at all levels of government
in America. Out public officials are having a sizable impact on the
local, state and national debates about LGBT equality. Increasing
their numbers is a vital part of a long-term strategy to change
America’s politics and make our country freer and fairer for everyone.
We will continue to focus on training committed, qualified candidates,
and we will work hard to get them elected to public office.'

"Important 2010 election results include:

"–David Cicilline’s election to Congress. The Providence, R.I. mayor
will be the fourth openly gay member of the U.S. House of
Representatives, joining Reps. Tammy Baldwin, Barney Frank and Jared
Polis, who each won reelection.

"–Nickie Antonio’s election to the Ohio House. Antonio will be the first openly LGBT person to serve in the state legislature.

"–Victoria Kolakowski’s election as a Superior Court judge in Alameda
County. Kolakowski becomes the first openly transgender judge in
America.

"–Kevin Lembo’s election as Connecticut State Comptroller. Lembo
joins just a handful of openly LGBT candidates to have been elected to
statewide positions.

"–Laurie Jinkins’ election to the Washington State House. Jinkins is
Washington’s first openly lesbian state legislator, and could help her
gay colleagues pass a marriage equality bill in the next legislative
session.

"–Maryland’s and California’s expanded LGBT state legislative
caucuses. Each will include seven openly gay and lesbian lawmakers.
In Maryland, the caucus is poised to help pass marriage equality
legislation, which the reelected Gov. Martin O’Malley has vowed to sign.

"–Dan Hill’s loss in his Nevada House race. The Victory Fund’s
endorsed Republican candidates for state legislative seats were not
successful, meaning no openly LGBT Republicans will be serving as state
lawmakers next year."